The
Qur'aan and Fasting - will intercede for the slave
on the Day of Judgment
As-Siyaam wal-Qur'aan Yashfi'aan lil-Abd Yaum al-Qiyamah
by Shawana A. Aziz
[ As-Sunnah ]
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The
Qur'aan and the Fasting are very closely related to each other
for many reasons; one of them being - the Qur'aan was revealed
in the month of Fasting (i.e. Ramadaan). Allah praised and
honored the month of Fasting out of all the other months by
choosing it to send down the Glorious Qur'aan. “The
month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance
for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and criterion
(between right and wrong).” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):
185]
Reciting
the Qur'aan in the month of Fasting - The
importance of reciting the Qur'aan in the month of Ramadaan
is reflected by the practice of Jibreel (alaihi as-salaam).
Allah, the Exalted, would send Jibreel (alaihi as-salaam)
every Ramadan to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
to recite the whole Qur'aan that was revealed. Narrated Ibn
Abbas (alaihi as-salaam): “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) was the most generous person and he used to become
more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadaan because
Jibreel used to meet him every night of the month of Ramadaan
till it elapsed. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
used to recite the Qur'aan to him…” [Saheeh al-Bukharee
(vol. 6, no. 519)]
The
Qur'aan and the Fasting will intercede for the slave on the
day of Judgment - On the Day of Judgment, when, “…the
sky will be like the boiling filth of oil (or molten copper
or silver or lead, etc.) and the mountains will be like flakes
of wool. And no friend will ask of a friend.” [Soorah
al-Maarij (70): 8-10]
“That
day shall a man flee from his brother. And from his mother
and his father, and from his wife and children. Every man,
that Day, will have enough to make him careless of others.”
[Soorah at-Takwir (81): 34-37] The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Fasting and the Qur'aan
will intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment.”
Fast will say, 'O My Lord! I stopped this person from eating,
drinking and other desires so accept my intercession for him.'
The Qur'aan will say, 'O my Lord! I stopped this person from
sleep (for Qiyaam) so accept my intercession for him.' Both
the intercessions will be accepted.” [Musnad Ahmad and
at-Tabaranee]
Allah's
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) has greatly encouraged
recitation of the Qur'aan by mentioning its numerous blessings
and rewards. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever
reads a single letter from Allah's Book will receive a blessing
(for each letter) and each blessing is worth ten times its
value.” [Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhee]
These
blessings are further multiplied for those who struggle in
their recitation, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
said: “One who is skilled in it, the Qur'aan, is associate
with the noble, upright, recording Angels and he who falters
when he recites the Qur'aan and finds it difficult, he will
have a double reward.” [Saheeh Muslim (vol. 1/ no. 1754)]
It
should be mentioned here that recitation of the Qur'aan is
not the goal in itself; understanding the Commands of Allah
and acting upon it are the main objective. Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Qur'aan is
a proof on your behalf or against you.” [Saheeh Muslim
(no. 432)] Meaning on the Day of Judgment, the Qur'aan will
become a proof for those who recite the Qur'aan with understanding
and act in accordance to it. Otherwise, the Qur'aan will become
a proof against those who merely recite the Qur'aan but do
not act according to it.
Allah's
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The example
of a believer, who recites the Qur'aan and acts on it, is
like an orange which tastes nice and smells nice. And the
example of the believer who does not recite the Qur'aan but
acts on it is like a date that tastes sweet but has no smell.
And the example of the hypocrite who recites the Qur'aan is
like a sweet Basil which smells good but tastes bitter. And
the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'aan
is like a Coelacanth which tastes bitter and has a bad smell.”
[Saheeh al-Bukharee (vol. 6, no. 579)]
So,
let us cease the opportunity in this blessed month of Ramadan
and recite more of the Qur'aan but with understanding and
acting in accordance to its commands. Allah says: “This
is a Book, We have sent down to you full of blessing, so that
they may ponder over its verses and so that the people of
reflection take heed.” [Soorah Sad (38): 29] |